Dr. James H. Costen was Presbyterian minister and educator, and served as president of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) from 1983 to 1997. In 1969, he became the first Dean of the Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary the only historically Black theological seminary of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Costenss records tell the story of an active educator and administrator with the papers providing rich resources in the study of African American religion and education in the South. At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu. 
Jun 13, 2019

James H. Costen Collection

Dr. James H. Costen was Presbyterian minister and educator, and served as president of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) from 1983 to 1997. In 1969, he became the first Dean of the Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary the only historically Black theological seminary of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Costenss records tell the story of an active educator and administrator with the papers providing rich resources in the study of African American religion and education in the South.

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu. 
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Bennie Mitchell & Angelin Simmons at an ITC Grand Reunion, 1994
1994
Bennie Mitchell & Angelin Simmons stand shoulder to shoulder at an ITC Grand Reunion. Written on verso: ITC Grand Reunion 1994. Bennie Mitchell, Angelin Simmons.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Bennie Mitchell & Angelin Simmons stand shoulder to shoulder at an ITC Grand Reunion. Written on verso: ITC Grand Reunion 1994. Bennie Mitchell, Angelin Simmons.
Gloria Tate, Mr. Simmons, Minnie, Angelin Simmons, 1994
1994
A group attends an I.T.C. grand reunion. Written on verso: Gloria Tate, Mr. Simmons, Minnie, Angelin Simmons. ITC Grand Reunion 1994.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A group attends an I.T.C. grand reunion. Written on verso: Gloria Tate, Mr. Simmons, Minnie, Angelin Simmons. ITC Grand Reunion 1994.
Katie Cannon, 1994
1994
Katie Cannon sitting against a brick wall. Written on verso: Katie Cannon 1994.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Katie Cannon sitting against a brick wall. Written on verso: Katie Cannon 1994.
Angelin Simmons, Mr. & Mrs. Littleton Price, Spencer Gibbs, Karen Callier, Cleo & Portia Lacy., 1994
1994
A group attends a grand reunion. Written on verso: Angelin, Mr. & Mrs. Littleton Price, Spencer Gibbs, Karen Callier, Cleo & Portia Lacy. Grand reunion 1994 - ITC.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A group attends a grand reunion. Written on verso: Angelin, Mr. & Mrs. Littleton Price, Spencer Gibbs, Karen Callier, Cleo & Portia Lacy. Grand reunion 1994 - ITC.
Gloria Tate, Mr. Simmons, Minnie, & Katie Cannon, 1994
1994
A group stands with their arms around each other at the I.T.C. Grand Reunion. Written on verso: Gloria Tate, Mr. Simmons, Minnie, Katie Cannon. ITC Grand Reunion 1994.
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A group stands with their arms around each other at the I.T.C. Grand Reunion. Written on verso: Gloria Tate, Mr. Simmons, Minnie, Katie Cannon. ITC Grand Reunion 1994.
James Costen and Others, circa 1995
1992/1998
James Costen stands with other unidentified people in front of an unidentified building.
Presidents, Portraits and people, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
James Costen stands with other unidentified people in front of an unidentified building.
Board of Trustees at Stillman College, 1988
1988
Written on verso: Board of Trustees, Stillman College-Tuscaloosa, Alabama 1988. Left to right - First row: George H. Weldon, New York; Sarah L. (Sue) Thompson, Tuscaloosa; Houston H. Harte, San Antonio; Chairperson Cordell Wynn, Tuscaloosa, President. Left to right - Second Row: Alex A. Chambers, Tenn.; Ollie Page, Miami; James H. Costen, Atlanta; Richard A. Thigpen, Tuscaloosa; Mrs. Joseph (Gene) Shannon, Bradenton; Moses C. Jones, Tuscaloosa. Left to right - Third row: E. Granger WIlliams, Little Rock; Wardell Craft, Detroit; Helen Hubbard; Ervin Elligan, Miami; Eugene H. Webb, New York; Samuel Ethredge. Left to right - Fourth row: Eugene L. McCabe, New York; Heywood Strickland, Atlanta; Edward L. Parrish, Birmingham; Carl W. Albright, Tuscaloosa; M.J. Williams, Washington, D.C.
Presidents, Portraits and people, Groups and organizations, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Written on verso: Board of Trustees, Stillman College-Tuscaloosa, Alabama 1988. Left to right - First row: George H. Weldon, New York; Sarah L. (Sue) Thompson, Tuscaloosa; Houston H. Harte, San Antonio; Chairperson Cordell Wynn, Tuscaloosa, President. Left to right - Second Row: Alex A. Chambers, Tenn.; Ollie Page, Miami; James H. Costen, Atlanta; Richard A. Thigpen, Tuscaloosa; Mrs. Joseph (Gene) Shannon, Bradenton; Moses C. Jones, Tuscaloosa. Left to right - Third row: E. Granger WIlliams, Little Rock; Wardell Craft, Detroit; Helen Hubbard; Ervin Elligan, Miami; Eugene H. Webb, New York; Samuel Ethredge. Left to right - Fourth row: Eugene L. McCabe, New York; Heywood Strickland, Atlanta; Edward L. Parrish, Birmingham; Carl W. Albright, Tuscaloosa; M.J. Williams, Washington, D.C.
Unidentified Student Receives Red Hood, 1979
1979
An unidentified faculty member places a red hood on a graduate.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified faculty member places a red hood on a graduate.
Attendees of the I.T.C. Graduation Ceremony, 1979
1979
Professors, graduates, and the general public attend the I.T.C. graduation ceremony.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Professors, graduates, and the general public attend the I.T.C. graduation ceremony.
Unidentified Faculty Member Congratulates Graduate, 1979
1979
An unidentified faculty member kisses a graduate to congratulate her on graduating.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified faculty member kisses a graduate to congratulate her on graduating.
Platform Participants During Speech, 1979
1979
Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a speech.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a speech.
Platform Participants Sitting on Platform, 1979
1979
Platform Participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a commencement address.
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Platform Participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a commencement address.
Unidentified Graduate on Stage, 1979
1979
An unidentified graduate stands on stage in front of platform participants.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate stands on stage in front of platform participants.
Unidentified Man Gives Commencement Speech, 1979
1979
An unidentified man gives a commencement address.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified man gives a commencement address.
Platform Participants Listening to a Speech, 1979
1979
Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a commencement address during I.T.C. graduation ceremony.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a commencement address during I.T.C. graduation ceremony.
Unidentified Graduate is Given Red Hood, 1979
1979
An unidentified graduate is given a red hood by a faculty member.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate is given a red hood by a faculty member.
Platform Participants, 1979
1979
Members of the platform participants during the graduation ceremony.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Members of the platform participants during the graduation ceremony.
Unidentified Graduate with Unidentified Faculty, 1979
1979
An unidentified graduate crosses the stage in front of a faculty member at a graduation ceremony.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate crosses the stage in front of a faculty member at a graduation ceremony.
Unidentified Man Delivers Speech, 1979
1979
An unidentified faculty member delivers a commencement address to the class of 1979.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified faculty member delivers a commencement address to the class of 1979.
I.T.C. Graduates Standing, 1979
1979
An unidentified I.T.C. graduate stands with her classmates as part of the graduation ceremonies.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified I.T.C. graduate stands with her classmates as part of the graduation ceremonies.